Shade cutter



y 26, 1959 A. K. GAST ETAL 2,888,048

I SHADE CUTTER Filed June 20, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ALBERT K. GASTALBERT K. GAST, JR.

g-n5, Mral May 26, 1 A. K. GAST ET AL SHADE CUTTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 20 1955 v OE INVENTORS: ALBERT K. GAST ALBERT K. GAST, JR.

ATT'YS May 26, 1959 A. K. GAST ET AL SHADE CUTTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed, June 20, 1955 m T E m6 K T R E B L A ALBERT K. GAST, JR.

United States Patent SHADE CUTTER Albert K. Gast and Albert K. Gast,Jr., St. Joseph, Mich.; George G. Gast and Albert K. Gast, Jr.,executors of said Albert K. Gast, deceased, assignors to Star ShadeCutter Company, St. Joseph, Mich., a partnership Application June 20,1955, Serial No. 516,656

'2 Claims. (Cl. 144-4) This invention relates to a shade cutter of thetype disclosed in Patents 1,964,984 and 2,326,293.

The present invention comprises a shade cutter of the type referred toabove, but includes a motor for operating the shade holding chuck tohold the shade in position and to cause the same to be rotated. Theinvention embodies certain improved characteristics, including a springpressed shade engaging member mounted on a slidable bracket, whereby theshade may be arranged in position without shifting the slidable bracketfor the removal of the pin by a collet. The collet embodies improvedcharacteristics so as to provide longitudinal translation as well aselfecting rotary movement for increasing or decreasing the size of thejaws for engaging and releasing the pin at the end of the shade pole.The collet also is adapted for resetting the pin into the end of theshade pole. New and improved means are provided to effect the cutting ofthe slat, whereby a new cutting surface is presented during eachoperation of the slat cutter. The chuck for supporting the shadecomprises a sleeve which is adapted to be removably mounted on itssupporting bearing and embodies a driven pulley so that the chuck isrotated by a belt over a pulley on the motor shaft. Other improvedcharacteristics of the present invention relate to the knife andchamfering mechanism, the cloth shade trimmer, as well as certain safetydevices and appliances to efiect properly the various operationsnecessary for reducing the shade size to the proper Width.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved shade cutter which is preferably motor driven and embodying newand improved means for cutting the slat and to cause the slat to be cutto proper length according to the width of the shade from tip to tip,the length of the pole, and the width of the material.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of a new andimproved pin pulling and setting device whereby new and improved devicesare provided for shifting the pin rolling and setting device and toeffect proper operation of the collet member in cooperation therewith.

A further object of the invention consists in the new and improvedtrimming element fortrimming and cutting the size of the shade,with-which certain safety elements cooperate.

Another object consists in a new and improved saw mechanism for sawingofi the pole to the proper desired length and embodying new and improvedcharacteristics, including a chamfer member which is associated closelywith the saw to permit a chamfering operation to follow each sawingoperation without loss of time or motion.

A further object consists in the provision of a chuck arrangementembodying new and improved characteristics whereby the various parts maybe assembled and taken apart for shipping, cleaning, adjustment, and forother purposes, as well as embodying improved means for tightening thechuck against the shade.

Still another object consists in the provision of a shield deviceenclosing certain of the operating elements and for causing the motor tobe operated by means of the housing engaging a switch control element,whereby the motor will not operate the driving chuck until the housingis moved to a closed position.

Still another object relates to the provision of a new and improvedslidable bracket member Which is provided with indicia for measuring theshade pole from tip to tip or from one end of the pole to the other, 'aswell as the width of the material, the said bracket embodying arevolubly mounted member to receive one end of the shade, whereby theshade is in proper juxtaposition to effect the trimming, cutting andchamfering operations.

A still further object relates to new and improved means for mountingand supporting the motor on the base.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout theprogress of the specification which is to follow.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment ofthe invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail side elevationof the improved shade cutter of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a detail top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on the line 33 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a detail end elevation showing the pole cutter at theconclusion of the cutting stroke;

Fig. 5 is a' detail sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail right hand elevational view of the slat cutter withthe cutting blade removed;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a detail exploded view showing the several parts constitutingthe various elements of the shade cutter and the manner in which theyare assembled.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustratingthe invention comprises a cast base 1 having supporting feet 2, 2, Fig.1, upon which the base may be supported on a table or other structure.The base 1 includes an outwardly extending integral lug 3, the upper endof which is of a shape to receive a V-shaped supporting slide guide 4 inthe form of an angle member having the lower end of the V received inthe slot of the member 3 and its outwardly free end supported in astandard 5. The standard 5 is V-shaped at its top so as to receive theopposed legs of the V- shaped slide guide. The bottom of the standard 5may be provided with an outwardly extending foot 6 to receive fasteningmeans such as screws for securing the outer free end of the table orsupport. Thus, when the screws or other fastening devices are passedthrough the feet 2 and 6, the device may be securely fastened to atable, bench, or other supporting structure. A slide bracket 7 isadapted to be slidingly mounted along the slide guide 4 and comprisesguiding ledges 8, 8 arranged on opposite sides of the V-shaped slideguide 4 and extending on opposite sides of the legs 9, 9 of the V-shaped slide guide -4, Fig. 2. These members 8, 8 are provided withgrooves to receive the upper edges of the sides 9, 9 of the member 4 andare connected across the top thereof by an integral arch-like member 10,Fig. 2. A slat support 11in the form of a Z-bar is fastened to a part ofthe member 4 and includes an end part 12, against which the end of theshade slat is adapted to bear. The forward end of the slat is adaptedtoextend through an opening 13 in a rigid casting 14 fixed to thefrontsideofthe upstanding base aesaoes 1, Figs. 4 and 6. A slat cutterblade 15, in the form of a disk and having a relatively free rotatingsharp outer peripheral surface, is connected by a set screw 16 to ahandle member 17, Fig. 6. The handle member, in turn, is pivoted at 18to a one-piece bracket arm 19 which is secured to the casting 14. Thecasting 14 is provided with an arcuate slot 29 into which the guidingend 21 of the set screw 16 extends. The handle 17, being pivoted at 13to the rigid bracket 19, carries with it the cutting disk 15, Fig. 8,and, inasmuch as the end 21 of the set screw 16 is received in thearcuate slot 25, the cutting blade 15 will be moved in an arcuateorbital path; and, inasmuch as the cutting disk 15 is shifted in such apath by the operation of the handle 17 when the disk is cutting througha slot, the disk will not always rotate the same distance forwardly andrearwardly upon movement of the handle 17, but is likely to shift inarcuate increments and, therefore, a fresh cutting surface is presentedfor each slat.

The bracket member 7 is provided with a housing portion 22 arrangedbelow the arcuate connecting part it Fig. 5, and below the top thereof,but integrally connected with the sides to provide an abutment 23 havinga central opening 24 provided therein. The member 23 is adapted to abutagainst the end of a shade pole, and is centered by means of the opening24 which receives the tip of the shade pole at the spring end thereof.The member 22 includes a coil spring 25, Fig. 5, so as to normally urgethe member outwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, but is free to be pushedinwardly against the tension of the spring 25. This member 23 is adaptedfor cooperation with a pin drawing and resetting device 26, Figs. 1, 2,4 and 8.

The pin pulling and resetting device 26 comprises a handle 27 which isfixed to a shaft 28 and received within a hollow barrel-like member 29of a casting 30. The handle 27 is locked to the shaft 28 by means of aset screw or any other fastening means, and the casting 343 is securedin place by an integral flange 31 secured to the base 1 by a set screw32. The casting 30 also includes a longitudinal barrel-like member 33which is integral with the part 29 and at right angles thereto. T hemembers 29 and 33 are hollow, there being a longitudinal bore 34provided in the member 33 to receive a longitudinal stem 35. Thislongitudinal stem 35 is provided with spaced cutouts 37 along one endthereof to provide threads which are adapted to engage the longitudinalthreads 38 on the end of the shaft 28. The shaft 28 is adapted to beinserted in the hollow member 29 with the threads 38 on the end thereofengaging the cuts 37 so that, during movement of the handle 27, themember 38 will be given rotative oscillatory movement and thus causehorizontal translation of the member 35, Fig. 8.

The member 35 is provided with a hole 39 extending completelytherethrough to receive a screw 40 having a collet end 41. The threadedend 42 of the screw 40 threadedly engages the threads 43 on thecentrally positioned opening in the thumb nut 44. The collet end 41 ofthe screw 40, Fig. 8, comprises a plurality of spaced fingers 45 whichare arranged at the forward end 46 of the barrel member 35, and thesefingers 45 are generally outwardly flared at the lower end thereof, asindicated at 47, and are arranged in the conical shaped hollow end 48 atthe outer end of the opening 39, Fig. 8. The screw 49 is also providedwith a flat 49 which is adapted to be engaged by a set screw so as toprevent the screw 41} from rotating in the opening 29 of the barrel 35when the thumb nut 44 is rotated. Thus, when the wing nut 44 is rotatedin one direction, the screw 40 will be given limited longitudinalmovement without turning, and because the ends 45 are relativelyflexible and normally spring apart, the fingers 45 of the screw 40 willbe moved longitudinally and be guided by the conical surface 48. Thus,when the wing nut 44 is rotated in one direction, the screw 49 will bepulled inwardly and tend to bring the fingers 45 together, but when thewing nut is rotated in an opposite direction, the screw 40 will betranslated outwardly and spring apart, leaving a suflicient opening toreceive the pin of the shade. After the pin end of the shade is locatedin position, the handle 27 is operated to bring the stem 35 intoengagement with the end of the shade roller with the pin of the shaderoller projecting into the opening between the fingers 45. The wing nut44 is then rotated to cause the fingers 45 to grasp the pin on the shaderoller. The handle 27, when moved to an opposite direction, will causethe stem 35 to be retracted and cause the pin to be pulled from the endof the shade pole.

The forward end of the casting 3%, Fig. 8, is provided with a flared end50 which is dish shaped or conical at its inner surface and acts as aguide or centering device for centering the pin end of the shade pole.This outer flared end 549 of the casting 38 is provided with a notch 51to permit the pin end of the shade pole to be placed easily in positionin the pin withdrawing and resetting device 26 while the opposite end ofthe shade roller is still in abutting engagement with the abutmentmember 23, Fig. Therefore, when it is desired to withdraw the pin fromthe shade pole, the square tip at the spring end of the roller isengaged against the member 23 on the bracket member 7 and the bracketmember is locked to the V-shaped or angle guide 4. The shade may be thenbrought to proper position with respect to the pin remover and resetter26 by merely pushing the shade roller to the left, Figs. 1, 2 and 6, theabutment member 23 being shifted outwardly against the tension of thespring 25, whereupon the pin end may be easily inserted in the notch 51.The shade roller is then in proper position, and by shifting the stem 35outwardly toward the end of the shade to contacting relationship, thewing nut 44 is operated to cause the collet to grasp the pin. After thepin has been so grasped, the handle 27 is moved in a reverse direction,whereupon the stem 35 is moved outwardly, carrying the collet with it,and the collet grasphug the pin, whereupon the pin will be withdrawnfrom the shade pole. In resetting the pin in the pole, the operation isthus reversed.

The bracket '7 includes an integral section extending transverselythereacross, but is split adjacent one side of the barrel 22, therebyproviding relatively flexible ends whereby the slide engaging sections8, 8 thereof are normally spread apart, but are adapted to be clampedtogether against the sides of the l-shaped member 4 for locking thebracket 7 in adjusted position.

The means for so locking the bracket 7 to the guide 4 comprises a bolt52, Figs. 1, 2 and 5, which extends through the bracket on oppositesides thereof to impinge or release the sections 3 toward and from theedges of the V-shaped member 4. The bolt 52 has its head arranged at thefar side of the guide 4 so that the bolt will not turn, Figs. 1 and 2.The other end of the bolt 52 is threaded and comprises a nut 53, Figs. 1and 2, through which a slidable operating handle or bar 54 extends.Therefore, when the handle 54 is rotated in one direction to unlockedposition, the bracket 7 is free to slide along the member 4, but whenthe handle 54 is operated to turn the nut in a reverse direction, theslide members 8, 8 will be locked tightly against the xi-guide 4.

The bracket member 7, Figs. 1 and 2, has an arm 55 integrally securedthereto on one side thereof. The arm 55 has a hub 56 at its upper end toreceive a shaft 57 which is longitudinally slidable therein, but whichis locked in adjusted position by means of a set screw, Fig. 2. Theinner end of the shaft 57 carries a disk-like meinber 53, Figs. 1 and 2,having a tapered nose 59 which is provided with a shallow openingtherein to receive the square pin at the spring end of the shade pole.The

member 58 is rolling on the shaft 57, but the extreme forward endcarries a rigid washer-like member 60 against which the end of the shaderoller abuts. The center of the shaft 57, as well as the conical nose59, is in direct axial alinement with the center of a supporting bearingmember 61 which is carried by a standard mounted on the upper surface ofthe base member 1, Figs. 1, 3 and 8.

This bearing member 61 is adapted to receive an elongated bearing sleeve62 upon which a chuck 63 is fastened, the chuck 63 including a rim-likeportion 64 mounted on the end of the sleeve 62, Figs. 3 and 8. The rim64 is provided with an upstanding peripheral annular rib 65. An annularshoulder 66 is formed by milling an edge of the bearing member 61, theannular shoulder 66 forming a rim about the bearing member and of adiameter less than the annular rib 65, whereby a guideway 67 is formedbetween the rib 65 and a washer 99 fitted over the sleeve 62 andabutting against the shoulder 66 of the bearing member 61. I

The chuck 63 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed jaws 68 and 69,Fig. 8. The jaw 68 is secured to an annular ring 70 which is movedinwardly and outwardly by means of a set' screw '71 having a knurledknob 72, the

threads 73 of the screw 71 engaging the ring 70 so as to draw the jaw 68inwardly and outwardly. The ring 70 is provided with a bifurcated end74, through which a rigid guide screw 75 is arranged in the slot betweenthe legs thereof to hold the ring 70 in position so that, upon' rotationof the screw 71, the jaw 68 will move inwardly or outwardly in astraight line. The jaw 69 has slotted surfaces engaging guide flanges76, 76 on the ring 70. The inner end of the set screw 71 is hollow andis provided with internal threads which engage exterior threads on theinner end of a threaded stem 77 fixed to the jaw 69. Therefore, therotation of the set screw 71 will cause the jaw 69 to move inwardly oroutwardly as Well as moving the ring 70 inwardly or outwardly, and thusmove the jaws 68 and 69 toward or away from each other to allowinsertion of a shade roller therebetween and to' permit the shade rollerto be locked tightly in position within the jaws 68 and 69 of the chuck63.

The sleeve 62 extends outwardly from the bearing member 61 on thestandard, and a driving pulley 78 is connected to the projecting end ofthe member, Fig. 3. The pulley 78 has a split collar 79 which terminatesat adjacent ends by ears 80, 80 to receive a screw 81 for locking theband 79 tightly against the outer end of the sleeve 62. The pulley '78is driven by a belt 82 from a pulley 83 on the shaft of a motor 84,Figs. 4 and 8.

The motor 84 has a yoke 85 connected thereto and this yoke 85 isconnected to the base 1 by means of a hinge 86, Fig. 4. The motor isadapted to be held in outward position by the tension of the belt 82because of the weight of the motor itself, and the motor may be adjustedby means of a slide bolt 87 engaging the yoke 85, Figs. 1 and 2. Theslide bolt 87 is locked in adjustable position by means of a lock nut88.

Electric conductor means 89, Fig. 2, leads from a source of electricsupply to a normally open switch 90, Fig. 8,

arranged inside of the base 1, and the electric conductor means includesconnectors leading from the switch 90 and electrically connected to theelectric motor 84. The switch is operated by a switch push button 91arranged in a tube 92, and this switch is adapted to be operated by aprojection or pin 93 on a guard hood 94, Figs. 1 and 2.

The hood 94 is adapted to be rotated to a downward position, whereuponthe projecting pin 93 will engage the switch button 91 inside of thetube 92 and close the switch 90 to cause the current to flow to themotor, and thus drive the chuck 63 by means of the pulleys 83 and 78 andthe belt 82, Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 8.

The hood 94, Figs. 1', 2 and 3, comprises an annular web 95, Figs. 1 and3, which bearingly engages an annular recess 96 in the bearing member61. The inside of the hood is provided with a pin 98, Fig. 3, on oneside of the web 95 to limit the r'evoluble movement ofthe hood 9 in onedirection by reason of the pin engaging a part of the standard to whichthe bearing member 61 is mounted. The movement of the'hood in thereverse direction is limited by the engagement thereof with the tube 92when the switch operating pin 93 operates the switch 90. The hood 94 isprovided as a protective means, and covers the chuck 63 and the pulley78. It is, however, cut away at certain places so as to permit operationof certain of the operating members, such as the shade trimmer and polecutter, which are described later. A washer 99, Fig. 8, which is an oilring, is arranged between the annular rim 64 and the bearing member 61,and a second oil ring or washer 100 is arranged about the sleeve 62between the pulley 78 and the outer surface of the bearing member 61. I

An oil cup or oiler stem 101, Figs. 1, 3 and 8, is arranged on top ofthe bearing member 61 and receives one end of a guard 102, Figs. 2 and8, to hold the upper end of the guard in position. The lower end of theguard 102 is locked to the base by a thumb nut (not shown), whichengages a bolt on the base 1.

The shade is adapted to have its outer end (to the left, Figs. 1 and 2)engaging the members 59, 60, and its other end locked in the chuck 63.When the hood 94 is moved downwardly, the pin 93 on the hood 94 willengage the switch 90 and cause the motor 84 to operate. The revolublemovement of the hood 94 is operated by means of a handle member 103mounted on the upper surface thereof, Fig. 4. The hood 94and the guard102 covers the certain operating parts, guarding the same, as well aspreventing accidental access to the belt 82 and the pulley 78.

After the shade has been locked by the chuck 63, the shade fabric ormaterial may be cut by a shade trimmer 104, Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 8. Theshade trimmer 104 comprises an arm 105, Fig. 8, mounted on the front endof the base 1, the arm 105 having a split lower collar 106 which engagesan'internally threaded tube 107 fixed to the front side of the base 1.The upper end of the arm 105 terminates in a circular guard portion 108,Fig. 8, having a cutout 109. A circular shade trimmer cutter blade islocked to the circular guard part 108 by means of a bolt, and locked inposition by a thumb nut 111. A revolubly mounted mask 112 is adapted toguard the blade 110 when the blade is in its normal rest position. Themask 112 is mounted on the bolt to which the nut 111 is attached, and isconnected to an arm 113. The lower end of the am 113 is pivotallymounted at 114 to the base 1. Thus, when the trimmer structure,designated generally by the numeral 104, is moved to swing the arm 105from the normal position shown in Fig. 4 to its upper cutting position,the arm 113 for the mask 112 will cause the mask 112 to be rotated andno longer mask the blade 110, and, therefore, permit the cutter blade110 to be brought intocutting relationship with the rotating shade andthus cut the shade down to the depth of the material on the shade pole.

After the shade has been trimmed by the shade trim mer 104, a polecutter 115 is provided for cutting the pole to the desired properlength. This pole cutter 115, Fig. 8, comprises an arm 116 having asplit collar 117 engaging the hollow tube 107 which extends outwardlyfrom the casting, the tube 107 also forming the mounting for the trimmer104. An integral circular disk 118 is formed on the upper end of the arm116 and has an overhanging rim 119 to receive a pole saw 120. The saw120 is provided with a plurality of slots 121 which provide spacedseparate cutting edges 122 and, therefore,

the saw is a four-segment cutting tool which has a bevel on it. The saw120 is mounted on a bolt 123 which extends inwardly through the saw 120and through a central opening 124 in the disk member 118. An outerknurled lock nut 125 is adapted to threadedly engage the end of the bolt123 to hold the parts in assembled relationship. A handle 126 is mountedon the bolt 123 for limited rotation, the bolt 123 passing through thesaw '120, the

disk 118 and a part 127 forming a guard on the handle 126 adjacent itshub. The nut 125 maintains the various parts of the pole cutter 115together, and they all operate together as a unit. The disk 118 is cutout at 128 to bare a segment 122 of the saw 120 and to permit the end ofthe shade pole to pass therethrough during the cutting operation. Thisopening or cutaway 123 is normally closed by the mask 127, whereby thesaw 120 is always masked except when the cutter 115 is operated to cutthe shade pole. The mask 127, Fig. 8, is provided with a peripheralextension 129 which overhangs the peripheral rim 119 of the disk member118 and therefore normally closes the cutout 128. As the handle 126 ismoved forwardly to bring a cutter segment 122 of the saw 124) intosawing engagement with the pole, the lower edge of the projecting rim129 of the mask 127 will engage the arm 116. Continued movement in aforward direction of the handle 126 (toward the operator) will move thearm 11s, and the other attached elements of the cutter, to cuttingposition. A spring 130 has one end attached to the mask 127 and itsother end engaging a hollow stop pin 131 fastened to the disk 118,whereby the mask 127 is normally caused to be held in masking positionbecause of the action of the spring 130 and keep the cutout 128 covered.The hollow stop pin 131 receives a small bolt 132 which passes through aslot 121 in the saw 120 and through an opening 133 in the disk-likemember 11%. The bolt 132 is provided with an enlarged head 134 which isarranged in one of the slots 121 between the saw segments 122 andthreadedly engages the pin 131 to lock the saw 120 in its adjustedposition. When it is desired to bring a new cutting segment 122 intocutting position, the bolt 132 is removed so that the saw may be rotatedto bring a different cutting segment 122 to cutting position. Therefore,any one of the several (four) blades or cutting segments 122 of the saw120 may be shifted to bring a new cutting segment 122 into position. Acircular washer 135, Fig. 8, is arranged on the inside of the saw disk120, and is locked in place by the bolt 123 which threadedly engages thenut 125. This Washer-like member 135 is adapted to engage the shade poleafter the same has been cut by the cutter 120 and provides chamferingmeans for chamfering the cut end of the shade pole so as to permit theusual metal cap to be applied easily over the pole end.

The V-shaped guide 4, Figs. .2 and 5, is provided with a scale 136 onthe inside of one of the legs thereof, the scale 136 carrying indicia,such as inches, with calibrations designating parts of inches, such aseighths. The scale 136 is adapted to cooperate with other indicia 13? ona plate 133 mounted on the inner leg of one of the members 8 on thebracket 7. The indicia on the plate 138 are clearly shown in Fig. 5, andinclude pointers designating tip-to-tip length, pole length, and shadematerial width. If the shade material is to be trimmed to thirty-twoinches, as shown in Fig. 5, the pole length will be 32% inches, and thelength of the shade from tip to tip will be 33% inches. Therefore, thescale 136 cooperating with the indicia 137 provides any definite lengthin proportion to the other dimensions. If the device from tip to tip is33% inches, the pole should be 32 /8 inches, and the shade materialshould be 32 inches, as shown in Fig. 5. The shade slat is also cut toits proper desirable length because of the slat support 11, 12 on theV-guide 4, Figs. 1 and 2. A supporting ledge 139, Figs. 1, 2 and 8, onthe slat cutter is mounted on the base, at the slat cutter opening 13.Therefore, there needs to be only one setting of the bracket '7 toprovide for all the cutting sizes. This arrangement insures that theslat at the bottom of the shade will be theproper length, the materialwill be cut for the proper width, and the pole will be sawed off at theproper length. Also, the overall length from tip to tip of the completedshade will be known.

Means are also provided to remove the usual metal end cap from the endof the shade pole. This means may comprise a circular disk 1411, Figs.1, 2, 4 and 8, arranged at the outer end of the shaft 107 to which thearm 116 is mounted. The disk 140 has a sharp peripheral edge and isadapted to be engaged by an edge of the metal cap by placing the edge ofthe cap under the disk and then giving a pull or a jerk to the pole tocause the end cap to be removed after the pin has been previouslypulled.

The invention has innumerable new advantages and embodiments over priorstructures, and the use of the present device will effect all thenecessary cutting operations successively upon a simple setting of thebracket '7 and then locking the bracket in its selected positionaccording to a predetermined length selected. When the bracket is onceset and locked, all the operations may be carried on from that onepoint, such as the shade cap may first be removed by engagement with thedisk member 141%). The shade slat may then be cut by the slat cutter byhaving one end resting on the member 11 and by abutting it against theedge 12. The next operation may be the pulling of the pin, which is doneby the collet pin pulling structure 26. After the pin pulling operationhas been completed, the rolled shade is mounted against the member 60,passed through the chuck structure 63, and then clamped in position.When the hood 94 is oscillated downwardly, the motor will start tooperate and the shade trimmer 104 is brought into operation for severingthe rolled shade material on the pole. At the conclusion of thistrimming operation, the pole cutter is operated to cut the shade pole,and a continued forward pulling motion of the cutter will cause the cutend to be chamfered. The mounted shade then may be removed from thechuck and again placed in position to be operated by the collet for thepurpose of causing the pin to be reinserted in the end of the pole afterthe metal cap has been applied over the cut chamfered end. The deviceembodying the presout various improvements permits a simple routine ofoperations to be carried on in consecutive order without any waste oftime or doing any changing or resetting. The device is relativelyinexpensive in operation, it is safe to operate in view of the varioussafety mechanisms applied thereto, and it is not likely to get out oforder. Also, the elements, being mostly cast pieces, permit the entiredevice to be made readily and economically.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all suchchanges as fall fairly within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a shade cutter having a supporting base and a rotatable shadeholding chuck mounted on said base, means for cutting a measured lengthof pole from a shade, said means comprising an upstanding arm pivoted tosaid base, a stationary cutting tool carried on the upper free end ofsaid arm, a shield on said arm covering most of said cutting tool buthaving a notched portion for baring the tool, a mask pivotally mountedon said shield and normally biased over said notched portion thereof, ahandle mounted on said mask in spaced relation to its pivot, wherebyinitial actuation of said handle pivots said mask away from said notchedportion to bare the tool and further actuation of said handle pivots thearm and tool into operative position toward the rotating axis of saidchuck.

2. In a shade cutter having a supporting base and a rotatable shadeholding chuck mounted on said base, means for cutting a measured lengthof pole from a shade, said means comprising an upstanding arm pivoted tosaid base, a disc-shaped stationary cutting tool carried on the upperfree end of said arm having a plurality of circumferentially spacedcutting edges, a shield on said arm covering most of said cutting toolbut having a notched portion for baring the tool, a mask pivotallymounted on said shield and normally biased over said notched portionthereof, a handle mounted on said mask in spaced reiation to its pivot,whereby initial actuation of said handle pivots said mask away from saidnotched portion to bare the tool and further actuation of said handlepivots the arm and tool into operative position toward the rotating axisof said chuck.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS344,926 Stevens July 6, 1886

